# Citipati (*Citipati osmolskae*)

Citipati was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains

![Citipati](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Citpatibcn1.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Eduard Solà, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Citpatibcn1.JPG)

## Appearance

The Citipati has an ostrich-like body covered in feathers, a relatively short, deep skull with large eye sockets, and a short, powerful beak. It moved on two long, slender legs, giving it a bird-like stance, likely adorned in earthy tones for camouflage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- A Citipati fossil was found sitting on its nest, protecting eggs like a bird!
- Citipati laid eggs in a ring, sitting in the middle for protection and warmth.
- Citipati likely had feathers, looking like a giant, ancient, flightless bird.
- Its scientific name 'Citipati' refers to mythical Buddhist cremation ground lords!

## Special abilities

- **Parental Protector:** Citipati can brood its eggs like a bird because of its nesting behavior that helps protect its offspring.
- **Sharp Sight:** Citipati had large eyes that helped them spot food or dangers in their ancient, open environment.
- **Nimble Runner:** Citipati could run swiftly because of its long, powerful legs that helped it escape predators or chase food.
- **Versatile Eater:** Citipati had a strong, toothless beak that helped them crack diverse food sources like seeds or eggs.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 2.5-3 m
- **Weight:** 70-100 kg
- **Era:** Late Cretaceous
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 66

## Diet & Feeding

This omnivorous dinosaur used its strong beak to eat various plants, seeds, eggs, and small animals.

- **Primary Foods:** Plants, Seeds, Eggs, Small lizards, Insects
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Velociraptor](https://www.snappit.app/explore/velociraptor) (*Velociraptor mongoliensis*) — Velociraptor might have preyed on Citipati eggs or young.
- **Eats:** [Protoceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/protoceratops) (*Protoceratops andrewsi*) — Citipati might have eaten eggs or young Protoceratops.
- **Eaten by:** Tarbosaurus (*Tarbosaurus bataar*) — Larger Citipati could be prey for the formidable Tarbosaurus.

## Traits

- [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Citipati?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Citipati?

2.5-3 m

### How much does Citipati weigh?

70-100 kg

### What does Citipati eat?

This omnivorous dinosaur used its strong beak to eat various plants, seeds, eggs, and small animals.

### Where is Citipati usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Citipati hunt?

Foraging

### What geologic era did Citipati live in?

Late Cretaceous

### When did Citipati go extinct?

66

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Citipati: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citipati)